How Three Tiny Tweaks Will Make You Look Fabulous

It’s the morning. Again. You want to hit ‘snooze’ and snuggle down into your soft, warm bed.

But no. Not for you. You have to wrench open that wardrobe door, and put together another professional, groomed work outfit for the day.

There it is. The shambles. Stuff everywhere.

You feel so embarrassed. Ashamed. You’ve spent hard earned money on those clothes, and you don’t even know what you’ve got in there. And there’s stuff you’ve bought and not even worn yet. Still with price tickets.

Now the clock ticks, the kids screech and pressure bears down on you. Find something to wear to work that looks professional and put together. Right now.

You pull out another version of the same bland skirt and blouse you always wear. And you think, “Why is it like this? I’ve got some lovely stuff. Why don’t I ever wear it?”

You drag on the bland outfit, feed the kids and head for the car. As the door closes behind you, it occurs to you “When do I get to look good? Why do I wear the same things over and over? I’m a grown woman – why is it so hard to dress myself? I feel invisible. How will I ever meet a nice guy if I fade into the office wallpaper?”

You know this is ridiculous. You don’t want to feel like something the cat dragged in. It affects your work, it affects how you feel about your day, it affects how you relate to your kids.

It’s all about the decision process. Decision making is hard and tiring. Especially first thing in the morning, when you’re under more pressure than a SWAT team.

Here’s how to make it easier.

1. Decide what to wear the night before. Do it when you’ve got a few minutes to think about your upcoming day, and a drink in your hand.

2. Pick on the basis of your favourite colours. Which beautiful, coloured top or blouse lights you up? Pull that out. Now find something that you can wear it with. You’re one step closer to daily compliments.

3. Learn from costume designers to help you look the part at work. Forget “trends”. Watch your favourite tv character. How does what she wears tell you who she is? What signals does it send? Can you mimic one thing she wears? You just have to get the overall look right. Don’t stress the details. Fake it. They do.

Now, imagine as you wake up.

This time, as you think about what you’re going to wear, you glance over at the beautiful outfit that you’ve already picked out.

You jump out of bed, thinking about the compliments you’ve been getting at work. As you get dressed, you feel polished, competent and in control, confident about how you’re going to tackle your day. You walk out the door with poise and grace.

You can learn this stuff. You can make life more beautiful, pleasurable for yourself. You can present yourself as well as physically possible right now. So try out what we’ve talked about. Think in advance. Do one thing – pick out an outfit that sings to you, and put it up on a hanger.

You’re on the way to better quality of life.

All because you’ve done the work to improve your systems. You’ve observed, analysed, decided what you wanted to do. Stepped out of your comfort zone and tried something new. Something that seemed so obvious and tiny, that it would make no difference. But it has. And now you’re reaping the benefits.